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Dave Chappelle Is Low Key Running an A-List Comedy Club in Ohio

By Jodi Smith | Celebrity | July 30, 2020 |

By Jodi Smith | Celebrity | July 30, 2020 |


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I live near Dayton, Ohio, and I’ve been to the iconic Wiley’s Comedy Club on more than one occasion. Years ago, after 9-11, my husband and I were at Wiley’s watching a show when there was an announcement that they had a special guest hitting the stage after the headliner. It was none other than Dave Chappelle, stopping by from his home in nearby Yellow Springs to workshop some new material and surprise local comedy fans.

It was a once in a lifetime experience for me, sitting in front of a stage where Chappelle was trying out new jokes and monologues in a very intimate setting. Hell, we didn’t even pay for the tickets that night, using some free passes we’d won. It was fantastic.

Over the years, Chappelle has been a favorite of most Ohioans for his continued support of the town of Yellow Springs and the state as a whole. In August 2019, he held a fundraiser for victims of a mass shooting in our Oregon District. For the fourth of July, he had a six-hour concert held in a cornfield with comedians as the opening acts.

Now, enter his newest endeavor to prop up Ohioans during the COVID-19 pandemic: Dave Chappelle and Friends: An Intimate And Socially Distanced Affair. It’s all sold out, kids.

Taking place at Wirrig Pavilion in Yellow Springs, Chappelle is bringing talent to us in Ohio and selling tickets to those quick enough to snap them up. My friend Jesse was lucky enough to attend the show held on July 12th:

The impressive thing about it was how well-structured and implemented the COVID procedures were. Dave is known for being strict about cell phones and the same discipline was used with making sure everyone left with the same health that they came in with.

And even more impressive than that? How incredibly cheerful and welcoming the staff was. I mean, from the greeter at the gravel road to that took you to the parking lot all the way to your chairs, the main priorities of the staff were to make sure that I was safe and having a great time.

That assh*le even got a really cool mask from Chappelle for the show, which had all chairs set up six-feet apart. Ugh. Lucky turd.

Anyway, the shows have included top-notch talent and HUGE names, including Chris Rock, Jim Carrey, David Letterman, Michelle Wolf, Mo Amer, Donelle Rawlings, and others for around $200. There is no alcohol sold unless you’ve got a VIP ticket, so no unruly idiots coughing in your face or making the experience blow for you, which is also amazing.

If you’re lucky enough to get a heads up before a new string of shows goes on sale, you can snag a ticket from Ticketmaster with what I’m told is a crazy low fee for them.



Header Image Source: Getty Images